Stories of change: Muungano KYCTV

by Jackie Waithaka, SDI Kenya officer

Watch more of our work on Muungano and global Know Your City TV youtube channels

On set capturing an establishing shot for a feature film whose setting is in Nyalenda, Kisumu (link to film below):

The afternoon heat from the hot sun pours its hot rays onto the busy path in the village- the village with a life of its own. The sellers strategically sit by the roadside each with a set of goods displayed to those traversing the route. Chatter between sellers and buyers, friends catching up coupled with sounds of hooting motorcycles fills the air. For close to three minutes, a camera hoisted on the 4-meter stand steadily captures the action on the busy route. One of the crew swings a boom rode close to the camera as it records, capturing the natural sounds from the vibrant area. A few residents pass by curiously looking at the team on set with a few stopping to stare and hopefully catch a glimpse of the art.

“Cut!”

Ian Kennedy, cues the team halting their activities and restoring normalcy on set. The cameraman tightens his shot after a short conversation with the crew and seconds later, the director cues again.

“Stand by for take two!”

KYCTV growth and milestones

Having undergone a film training at the onset, the federation’s team of documenters in Kisumu embarked on a journey in the film world that entailed creating a perfect blend of stunning visuals. Through the stories produced by the youth documenters, unique tales of the life lived in some of Kenya’s informal settlements are ultimately brought to life.

In June 2017, Muungano launched KYCTV Kenya creating opportunity for youth to gain skills in documentation and ultimately take up the opportunity to create media that drives change. Over time the federation’s team of documenters has grown exponentially while taking lead to ensure communities stories are brought to the fore.

The program that first begun with recruiting twenty youth from Mukuru slums has overtime evolved to accommodate 90 youth from other settlements within the city and beyond, including in Nakuru and Kisumu.  Through support the federation has received from organizations such as Cities Alliance, the federation has managed to organize media trainings in regions such as Kisumu where an additional 20 youth were recruited and trained. The 20 youth who form part of the wider team, proceeded to compile a climate change awareness feature film now available on Know Your City TV. YouTube platform. The program’s expansion forms part of the federation’s continuous effort to create opportunity for more youth to take up use of audio visual to tell stories of their lived realities. Overtime, the program has spread its reach to Kisumu where 20 youth underwent training that aimed to equip them with audio visual documentation skills. The training took place over three weeks in which the youth had the opportunity to learn how to film, edit and in the long run, supported in creating of a short feature film, putting into practice their newly acquired skills.

The effects of climate change in Kisumu, is a feature film, that was creatively produced by the newly trained batch complimenting the team’s talent and creativity.

The feature film produced by the trained team of documenters sought to raise awareness on the effects of climate change within Kisumu particularly, how informal settlements dwellers have been affected by the change in the weather patterns brought about by climate change.

Presently since its inception, the team has managed to produce over 60 feature films, all available on the team’s YouTube platform (KYCTV YouTube), some which have won them the Co-Habitat awards earlier in 2019.

Preservers of memories.

Presently, the trained documenters have managed to curve out a niche for themselves as not only the passionate film makers but also as preservers of memories through documenting the federation’s stories in the community. Through the use of the camera’s powerful lenses to capture the federation’ struggles, achievements and major lessons, the youth have created a point of common and uniform reference for future generations to come.